Addressing the carbon footprint of health organisations: eight lessons for implementation

Abstract

Background: The scientific evidence for global warming is overwhelming. Health organisations, as large carbon polluters, are at significant 'carbon risk' and must act to reduce their carbon emissions. Many environmental sustainability initiatives, if properly implemented, would not only reduce harm, waste and pollution but also deliver health, social and financial benefits. Method: We have been involved for more than a decade in efforts to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of New South Wales (NSW) Health organisations in which we have worked. We draw on our collective experience to offer eight key lessons about implementing environmental sustainability initiatives in health organisations. Results: Sustainability plans have been developed in at least three Area Health Services/Local Health Districts in NSW, but in each case they have been imperfectly implemented. Lessons learnt: Based on our experience, we offer eight key lessons relating to leadership, engagement and developing networks, data, complex adaptive systems, broadening the issue, and political factors.

Healthy and Environmentally Sustainable Food Procurement and Foodservice in Australian Aged Care and Healthcare Services: A Scoping Review of Current Research and Training

“…Research studies investigating healthy and environmentally sustainable initiatives focused on food procurement [34][35][36], foodservice [3,[37][38][39][40], and both food procurement and foodservice [41,42].…”

“…Foodservice initiatives to incorporate healthy and environmentally sustainable practices were also identified. These included redesigning menus to increase appropriate vegetarian and vegan options [37], meal ordering closer to mealtime consumption [3,41], and increased mealtime assistance for patients with dexterity issues [3]. Facilities also reduced food packaging and/or increased recycling [38,41], monitoring of food waste [40], and sharing audit results with staff [41].…”

How Local Health Districts can prepare for the effects of climate change: an adaptation model applied to metropolitan Sydney

“…33 Some LHDs in NSW have environmental sustainability plans 34 aimed at improving efficiency in the use of resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 35 However, as yet no LHDs have developed plans for the assessment of and adaptation to climate change effects. LHDs will need to consider the exposure and risk of climate change to their own substantial workforce and facilities, as well as their capacity to respond to the changing needs of the populations they serve.…”

Climate change, health and wellbeing: challenges and opportunities in NSW, Australia

“…Efforts must be made to mitigate climate change, principally through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Health systems, with their energyintensive services, can play a part through efficiency and sustainability practices, and uptake of renewable energy, as described in this issue by Charlesworth et al 18 NSW Health is the largest general government energy consumer in NSW, and is actively pursuing initiatives to improve resource efficiency. 19 Climate change mitigation can also have health and wellbeing co-benefits.…”